Vietnam’s market should open to Uruguayan beef within less than a year, estimated National Meat Institute (INAC) President Gastón Scayola following the recent official mission to that country and Indonesia.
“We are very close to reaching a point where beef access to Vietnam can be secured within a reasonable period. I believe it should be possible to achieve it within a year,” Scayola told Valor Agregado.
The Uruguayan delegation to Southeast Asia was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Valeria Csukasi and Deputy Livestock Minister Matías Carámbula, with the participation of the presidents of INAC and Inale. In Vietnam, the delegation met with government officials, the Ministry of Agriculture and business chambers. Scayola highlighted the official nature of the visit and said the mission’s political standing provided access to the main decision-making authorities.
The INAC president said the Vietnamese market does not present significant limitations for beef access. Tariffs are around 5% and there are no quota restrictions. Furthermore, Vietnam accepts conventional production, with no halal certification requirement and conditions similar to those applied by China.
Vietnam has a population of around 100 million, rising consumption and a strong tourism industry. Although its market is about one-tenth the size of China’s, Scayola sees significant potential and compared it to China 15 years ago.
The opening process could receive fresh momentum toward the end of the year, when Vietnam’s vice president is expected to make a previously planned visit to Uruguay.
